Abstract
Introduction: Telemedicine has been practised for many decades since initial documentation in 1940s when radiology images were sent between two townships in Pennsylvania via telephone lines. Bioinstrumentation and transmission of astronauts’ vital parameters to ground based flight surgeons came to forefront during NASA’s space programme in 1960s. During following decades, telemedicine was used in multiple medical specialties as a mode of patient assessment. Use of telemedicine in Rehabilitation Medicine is relatively recent. As multidisciplinary coordinated care led by rehabilitation physicians and allied clinicians is required, proformas are used in tele rehabilitation assessments. Proformas help to generate a clinical document with medical and allied health assessments in one clinical record. Currently, delivery of rehabilitation services is further empowered, enhanced and in evolution with the installation of dedicated software programmes for use by allied health clinicians. Most units operating tele medicine for rehabilitation medical services use trained proctor with the client/patient to enable more comprehensive examination to aid clinical decision when the physician is stationed in a distant site.
Highlights
Telemedicine has been practised for many decades since initial documentation in 1940s when radiology images were sent between two townships in Pennsylvania via telephone lines
Tele ward rounds and additional initial inpatient and outpatient assessments were conducted via a video link
A total of 236 Tele medicine assessments were completed for patients/ clients admitted for rehabilitation
Summary
Telemedicine has been practised for many decades since initial documentation in 1940s when radiology images were sent between two townships in Pennsylvania via telephone lines. Telemedicine was used in multiple medical specialties as a mode of patient assessment. As multidisciplinary coordinated care led by rehabilitation physicians and allied clinicians is required, proformas are used in tele rehabilitation assessments. Proformas help to generate a clinical document with medical and allied health assessments in one clinical record. Delivery of rehabilitation services is further empowered, enhanced and in evolution with the installation of dedicated software programmes for use by allied health clinicians. Most units operating tele medicine for rehabilitation medical services use trained proctor with the client/patient to enable more comprehensive examination to aid clinical decision when the physician is stationed in a distant site. Current evidence based on multi centre trials suggest that well conducted tele rehabilitation enable clinical outcomes similar to face to face rehabilitation. If patients are reviewed early, frequent and active communication is carried out during tele rehabilitation, patient centred goal setting can be improved [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Sri Lankan Journal of Sports and Exercise Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
